Reusable Materials 17: How to Outline Your Scholarship Essays

Thursdays we discuss how reusable materials help you WOW committees and save time

John graduated from college fifteen years ago. He worked in finances since that time. His lack of a graduate degree caused his employers to pass over him for promotions. As a result, he decided to get an MBA. He combined several sources of funding to pay for graduate school. Educational reimbursements from his employer paid for 80% of tuition as long as he earned A’s. Scholarships paid for textbooks, housing, and food. He earned a free computer from Dell. The combined income provided for tuition, books, computer, half of his housing costs, and a quarter of his food costs.

Basic Outlines for Scholarship Essays

Essays follow a standard structure or outline. We will teach the hamburger essay structure.

• Paragraph 1 introduces your theme, concept or principle
• Paragraphs 2-4 contain the meat of the essay usually 1 thought or idea per paragraph
• Highlight the concepts or principles of the essay with a story for each one
• Draw similarities between the story and the principles
• Paragraph 5 concludes the essay by summarizing the three main points (it mirrors paragraph 1)

Types of Essays You May Need to Submit

Essays may serve different purposes depending on the topic:

• Biographical essays should not focus on just the facts of the person’s life.
  • They should describe characteristics or traits worthy of emulation
• Persuasive essays outline reasons for someone to change their mind or opinion
  • What can be done to make the world better or how to improve education
  • Why you deserve to receive scholarships or the benefits of your education
• Descriptive essays explain situations, the future, or things you have done
  • What have you done recently to make a difference in the world
  • How would your education improve your life

You adapt the standard essay structure depending on the type of essay. For example, a persuasive essay

• Introduction the proposition in paragraph 1
• Presents reasons to persuade the reader in paragraphs 2-4
• Conclusion summarizes how the reasons justify the proposition

Saturday we share the caution about the costs of for-profit proprietary schools